Barça contract rebel decides to stay, rejects offers from Bayern, Newcastle

Following the reports of Barcelona reaching an agreement with Manchester City for the signing of Ferran Torres, there could be more good news for supporters with regard to the future of winger Ousmane Dembele.

The 24-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Blaugrana and talks over a new deal have been dragging on for months without a resolution.

However, according to journalist Sebastien Denis of Footmercato (h/t SPORT), there has been a major development as Dembele has decided to stay put at Camp Nou and, in the process, has turned down offers from Bayern Munich and Newcastle United.

The Frenchman has always been leaning towards a stay at Barça, but his representatives were pushing him to explore other options as he would be getting bigger contracts while they would stand to be paid agent commission.

But, Dembele, as per the report, has put his foot down and made it clear to his agents that he wishes to continue at Camp Nou.

Barcelona director Mateu Alemany had indicated that the club ideally wanted to resolve the issue by next week. That might soon become possible, with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner expected to pen a two-year contract till 2024.

It comes at the right time as the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger would have been able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January 1. And with Newcastle and Bayern Munich having already presented him with offers, there was a possibility that the club ended up losing him in the summer for free.

Tying him down to a new deal would also allow Barcelona more leeway with regard to the salary limit heading into the January transfer window. It is because once he signs a deal, his wages will be amortised over the next two years.